Jammed starter

[SteveClem]

Starting the Traveller this morning there was a loud 'clunk' in mid churn and the starter motor jammed. The square nut on the end of armature shaft couldn't be turned by a spanner so I assumed the starter pinion was jammed in mesh with the flywheel. Sure enough a good rocking in gear and ignition off resulted in another 'clunk' and all seems well again.
My question is whether this is likely to be just one of those things or could it be symptomatic of an underlying problem. Sure that I heard that a stray bit of grit off the road could get trapped causing this and there has been a lot of tar and gritting going on around here lately.

[jaekl]

Assuming BMC engine/gearbox it's unlikely road grit has gotten in. It would be best to remove the start for examination. The Bendix has probably loosened, which is easily fixed.

[bmcecosse]

Is the ignition too far advanced and kicking against the starter? This is the most likely reason...

[SteveClem]

Thanks for suggestions chaps,I'll check both out. Marina engine and Ford gearbox,could that make grit ingress more likely? No option to use a starting handle either.

[philthehill]

The usual bell housing for the Ford to BMC/BL conversion is based on the Minor bell housing and is in the main no different to that fitted to the Minor.
So long as you have the gaiter around the clutch operating lever and the blanking plug for the unused L/H drive clutch lever aperture fitted there should be no possibility of grit or other debris getting inside the bell housing.
Remove the Marina crankshaft nut and fit the standard Minor starter dog because you never know when you may need to use the crank handle.

[SteveClem]

Good idea Phil, I've been thinking about getting around to doing that and this seems like the perfect time.

[bmcecosse]

But the engine may be sitting too high to allow the starting handle in under the radiator....

[philthehill]

A 1275cc engine using the original front Minor engine mount towers and a Minor/Midget/Sprite front engine plate will position the starter dog at the same height from the cross member/radiator as if a 948cc/1098cc engine were fitted.
The nominal distance from the cross member recess to the centre of the starter dog using the original Minor engine mount towers and Minor/Midget/Sprite front plate when fitted to a 1275cc Marina engine coupled to a Ford gearbox is 86mm.
Only if there is severe inclination of the engine (down at the back) would there be the possibility of the starter dog fouling the standard Minor radiator.

[SteveClem]

I've just been to look and I don't think there will be a clearance problem.

[bmcecosse]

The tilting down at the rear to clear the box can be the problem..